Rambler Accident Protocol

How many Ramblers does it take to respond to an accident?  All of you is the answer, and here are all your roles to follow when witnessing or arriving at the scene of a cycling accident.

🚴‍♂️ Roles for Cycling Accident Response

Rambler #1. Ensure Scene Safety. You’re the big Boss.  Requirement for this role is to be cool, calm and collected.  You don’t necessarily have to be the biggest person with the loudest voice, but you do need to be comfortable directing people.

  • Warn other road users: Use bikes, lights, or hand signals to prevent further accidents.

  • Direct traffic if safe.

  • Direct other Ramblers away from the immediate scene. It will cause undue stress to the injured person if there are too many people congregated around them.

  • Use bikes or jackets to cordon off the area.

  • Meet emergency services to guide them in.

  • Take photos of the scene, road, injuries, and bike damage.

  • Get names and contact info of Drivers involved, if any (license, insurance)

  • Move undamaged bikes off the road.

  • Collect and safeguard belongings (phones, IDs, helmets).

  • Get in touch with the RC if they’re ahead of the accident and unaware of what’s happened.

Rambler # 2 and #3 Assess the Victim(s) and provide first aid

  • Consciousness: Call out to the injured cyclist. Are they responsive?

  • Breathing and bleeding: Look, listen, and feel.

  • Spinal/neck concerns: Do not move them unless absolutely necessary (e.g., danger from traffic).

  • Head injuries: Assume the worst if there's helmet damage, confusion, vomiting, etc.

  • Control bleeding (use gloves or cloth).

  • Stabilize the head/neck if there's a suspected spinal injury.

  • Perform CPR if there's no breathing or pulse.

  • Keep them warm and calm until help arrives.

Rambler #3. Call Emergency Services 911 if needed

Provide:

  • Exact location (GPS if possible).

  • Number of injured.

  • Type of injuries (if known).

  • Request for ambulance and police if serious.

  • Most Ramblers have in their pannier a coloured index card listing pertinent info needed in case of an emergency.  Some have this info on a bracelet or on the back of their phone.

Rambler #4  Emotional Support - friend or spouse

  • Stay calm and reassuring.

  • Don’t give false reassurance.

  • Keep them talking if they’re conscious.

  • Help keep other Ramblers at a distance

Ramblers #5-55   Please leave the scene.  Either continue riding until you can find a safe place to gather or move a considerable distance away to gather.  Accidents can traumatic to witness so once you’ve moved away from the scene, just check on each other.  You may decide to abandon the ride or to continue it.  Either way please notify the RC and sweep if they aren’t with you at the scene.